DEXA - Bone Densitometry

Who is the service for?

The service is for patients who are admitted to the Trust inpatient wards and Day Services Departments and for patients attending the Emergency Departments and the Urgent Care Centre at Rochdale Infirmary.

The service also provides for patients referred by their GP from local GP practices and integrated care centres.

The service provides for patients attending outpatient clinics across the Trust premises and at Royal Oldham provides specialist MRI and Ultrasound scan services for Pennine MSK CATS.

What does the service provide?

Radiology- X-Ray

The provision of X-Ray and Fluoroscopy services to patients referred from GP's Outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. X-Ray and Fluoroscopy involves the use of low dose radiation.

CT Scan

The provision of specialist scans for patients referred from Outpatients clinics and inpatients wards. CT scan is often the first line diagnostic examination for a range of medical complaints including some cancers. CT scan involves the use of radiation.

MRI Scan

The provision of specialist scans for patients referred from Outpatients clinics and inpatients wards. MRI scan is also provided at Royal Oldham for patient referred from the Pennine MSK CATS with suspected muscular-skeletal conditions. MRI scan does not use radiation however due to the strong magnetic force some patients are contra-indicated e.g. those with Cardiac pacemakers.

Ultrasound Scan

The provision of low risk non invasive diagnostic testing services to patients referred from GP’s Outpatient clinics and Inpatient wards; Ultrasound can be use to guide biopsies and drainages in some cases.

The provision of low risk non invasive diagnostic testing services to patients referred from GP’s Outpatient clinics and Inpatient wards; this service is for specific patients with vascular problems and suspected DVT.

DEXA

The provision of low dose radiation bone density monitoring; this service is provided to patients from Oldham GP’s and some specialist outpatients services.

Breast Imaging Services

The provision of low dose radiation imaging and non invasive and invasive ultrasound. A referral is only accepted from a Breast Surgeon working within a Breast Clinic for patients presenting with a breast symptom.